Bemer, 63, who is charged with taking part in a Danbury-based sex trafficking ring that authorities said operated for decades, shed tears as he rejected the offer presented by Superior Court Judge Susan Reynolds. He elected to have a trial by jury and, if convicted, could face up to 30 years in prison.

“We don’t believe the state can prove its case,” said Bemer’s attorney, Anthony Spinella. “The state has serious problems in terms of the credibility of the witnesses, two of which have already died. My client doesn’t want to be a convicted felon.”

Bemer, who is accused of patronizing a prostitute and conspiracy to commit human trafficking, made no comment during the hearing.

Authorities have said that Bemer was a major client of Robert King of Danbury, who targeted young men with mental illnesses and disabilities, got them hooked on drugs and then prostituted them to older men to pay off their debts.

Joel Faxon, an attorney representing several of the ring’s victims in civil suits, said he was shocked by Bemer’s rejection of the plea offer.

“We welcome the trial,” he said, noting that his clients would have strongly objected to the deal. “We are confident and hopeful that Bemer will spend many years of his life in jail.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Sharmese Hodge appeared surprised by Bemer’s rejection of the plea offer, but declined to comment afterward.

Bemer, a wealthy businessman who owns Bemer Petroleum in Glastonbury and the Waterford Speedbowl racetrack in New London, agreed in December to put aside $25 million in assets pending the outcome of the lawsuits against him.

In those suits, he is accused of sexually assaulting teenaged boys on numerous occasions since the 1990s. Some of the assaults occurred at his racetrack or his oil company office, court records state. He would often lure his victims by offering to show them his collection of antique cars or promising rides on one of his helicopters, the suits states.

The cases against King and William Trefzger of Westport, who is also accused of patronizing the ring, are pending.